U.S. patent application number 16/922031 was filed with the patent office on 2021-06-10 for electronic device.
The applicant listed for this patent is TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA. Invention is credited to Yoichi Yamane.
Application Number | 20210173453 16/922031 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000004985144 |
Filed Date | 2021-06-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210173453 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Yamane; Yoichi |
June 10, 2021 |
ELECTRONIC DEVICE
Abstract
According to one embodiment, an electronic device includes a
connector, a first determination unit, and a first switching unit.
The connector includes a plurality of terminals for being
electrically connected to a peripheral device. The first
determination unit determines whether or not a peripheral device
compatible with an own device is connected to the connector, based
upon an electrical state of a terminal that is not used in a
terminal configuration of the own device among the plurality of
terminals. The first switching unit is provided on a transmission
line connecting the terminal of the connector and an electric
circuit of the own device, electrically connects the transmission
line when the first determination unit determines that the
peripheral device compatible with the own device is connected, and
electrically disconnects the transmission line when the first
determination unit determines that a non-compatible peripheral
device is connected.
Inventors: |
Yamane; Yoichi; (Susono
Shizuoka, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA |
Tokyo |
|
JP |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000004985144 |
Appl. No.: |
16/922031 |
Filed: |
July 7, 2020 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 2213/0042 20130101;
G06F 13/4022 20130101; G06F 13/4282 20130101; G06F 1/1601 20130101;
G06F 1/182 20130101; G06Q 20/202 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G06F 1/18 20060101
G06F001/18; G06F 1/16 20060101 G06F001/16; G06Q 20/20 20060101
G06Q020/20; G06F 13/40 20060101 G06F013/40; G06F 13/42 20060101
G06F013/42 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 6, 2019 |
JP |
2019-221614 |
Claims
1. An electronic device, comprising: a connector including a
plurality of terminals for being electrically connected to a
peripheral device; a first determination component configured to
determine whether or not a peripheral device compatible with the
electronic device is connected to the connector, based upon an
electrical state of a non-use terminal that is not used in a
terminal configuration of the electronic device among the plurality
of terminals; and a first switching component configured to be
provided on a transmission line connecting a terminal of the
plurality of terminals of the connector and an electric circuit of
the electronic device, to electrically connect the transmission
line when the first determination component determines that the
peripheral device compatible with the own device is connected, and
to electrically disconnect the transmission line when the first
determination component determines that a non-compatible peripheral
device is connected.
2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the
connector includes a pair of terminal groups disposed in a target
so that the connector configured to be connected even though
directions of a plug to be inserted into the connector are
switched, further comprising: a second determination component
configured to determine a connection direction of the plug
connected to the connector based upon an electrical state of a
predetermined terminal provided in either one or both terminal
groups of the pair of terminal groups; and a second switching
component configured to be provided on the transmission line, and
to selectively switch the terminal group connected to the electric
circuit in response to the connection direction of the plug
determined by the second determination component.
3. The electronic device according to claim 2, wherein the second
determination component transmits a signal for detecting the
connection direction to the predetermined terminal provided in
either one or both terminal groups of the pair of terminal groups,
and determines the connection direction of the plug connected to
the connector based upon a reception result of a response signal
corresponding to the signal at the terminal or the other terminal
provided in the same terminal group different from the
terminal.
4. The electronic device according to claim 3, wherein the second
switching component is provided between the first switching
component and the electric circuit.
5. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the
peripheral device is a display device, the connector is a
general-purpose connector having a common external shape with a
connector for connecting a non-compatible general-purpose display
device, and a terminal configuration of the connector is different
from a terminal configuration of the general-purpose display
device.
6. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the
peripheral device is a liquid crystal display device.
7. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the
peripheral device is a POS display device.
8. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the
connector is a USB type C connector, an HDMI connector, or a
Lightning connector.
9. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the
connector is a USB type C connector.
10. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the
connector has two terminals for being electrically connected to the
peripheral device.
11. A connection method, comprising: determining whether or not a
peripheral device compatible with an electronic device is connected
to a connector including a plurality of terminals for being
electrically connected to the peripheral device, based upon an
electrical state of a non-use terminal that is not used in a
terminal configuration of the electronic device among the plurality
of terminals; electrically connecting a transmission line
connecting a terminal of the plurality of terminals of the
connector and an electric circuit of the electronic device when
determining that the peripheral device compatible with the
electronic device is connected; and electrically disconnecting the
transmission line when determining that a non-compatible peripheral
device is connected.
12. The connection method according to claim 11, wherein the
connector includes a pair of terminal groups disposed in a target
so that the connector configured to be connected even though
directions of a plug to be inserted into the connector are
switched, further comprising: determining a connection direction of
the plug connected to the connector based upon an electrical state
of a predetermined terminal provided in either one or both terminal
groups of the pair of terminal groups; and selectively switching
the terminal group connected to the electric circuit in response to
determining the connection direction of the plug.
13. The connection method according to claim 12, further
comprising: transmitting a signal for detecting the connection
direction to the predetermined terminal provided in either one or
both terminal groups of the pair of terminal groups, and
determining the connection direction of the plug connected to the
connector based upon a reception result of a response signal
corresponding to the signal at the terminal or the other terminal
provided in the same terminal group different from the
terminal.
14. The connection method according to claim 13, wherein the second
switching component is provided between the first switching
component and the electric circuit.
15. The connection method according to claim 11, wherein the
peripheral device is a display device, the connector is a
general-purpose connector having a common external shape with a
connector for connecting a non-compatible general-purpose display
device, and a terminal configuration of the connector is different
from a terminal configuration of the general-purpose display
device.
16. A commodity sales device, comprising: a connector including a
plurality of terminals for being electrically connected to a POS
display device; a first determination component configured to
determine whether or not a POS display device compatible with the
electronic device is connected to the connector, based upon an
electrical state of a non-use terminal that is not used in a
terminal configuration of the electronic device among the plurality
of terminals; and a first switching component configured to be
provided on a transmission line connecting a terminal of the
plurality of terminals of the connector and an electric circuit of
the electronic device, to electrically connect the transmission
line when the first determination component determines that the POS
display device compatible with the own device is connected, and to
electrically disconnect the transmission line when the first
determination component determines that a non-compatible POS
display device is connected.
17. The commodity sales device according to claim 16, wherein the
connector includes a pair of terminal groups disposed in a target
so that the connector configured to be connected even though
directions of a plug to be inserted into the connector are
switched, further comprising: a second determination component
configured to determine a connection direction of the plug
connected to the connector based upon an electrical state of a
predetermined terminal provided in either one or both terminal
groups of the pair of terminal groups; and a second switching
component configured to be provided on the transmission line, and
to selectively switch the terminal group connected to the electric
circuit in response to the connection direction of the plug
determined by the second determination component.
18. The commodity sales device according to claim 17, wherein the
second determination component transmits a signal for detecting the
connection direction to the predetermined terminal provided in
either one or both terminal groups of the pair of terminal groups,
and determines the connection direction of the plug connected to
the connector based upon a reception result of a response signal
corresponding to the signal at the terminal or the other terminal
provided in the same terminal group different from the
terminal.
19. The commodity sales device according to claim 18, wherein the
second switching component is provided between the first switching
component and the electric circuit.
20. The commodity sales device according to claim 16, wherein the
connector is a general-purpose connector having a common external
shape with a connector for connecting a non-compatible
general-purpose display device, and a terminal configuration of the
connector is different from a terminal configuration of the
general-purpose display device.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is based upon and claims the benefit of
priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-221614, filed in
Dec. 6, 2019, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein
by reference.
FIELD
[0002] Embodiments described herein relate generally to an
electronic device and a connection method.
BACKGROUND
[0003] In a POS terminal of a related art, a technology referred to
as low voltage differential signaling (LVDS) is adopted for a
graphic interface that processes a display signal. However, since
LVDS will not be supported in the future, a change to a USB Type-C
standard is considered. Specifications of the graphic interface are
changed to the USB Type-C standard, whereby a general-purpose
connector (a receptacle) and a general-purpose plug cable that
comply with the standard can be used for a transmission unit of the
display signal.
[0004] Meanwhile, a POS display device is provided with a touch
panel as well as a display. A control signal of the touch panel
passes through the general-purpose plug cable that connects a
control unit main body of the POS terminal and the POS display
device together with the display signal. Therefore, a terminal of
the general-purpose connector that connects the general-purpose
plug cable has a terminal configuration unique to the POS terminal,
and is different from a standard terminal configuration of the USB
Type-C standard. When a display device that uses the
general-purpose plug cable and has the standard terminal
configuration is connected to the general-purpose connector, there
is a problem that a circuit may malfunction or may be
short-circuited due to a difference in the terminal
configuration.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] FIG. 1 is an external perspective view illustrating an
example of a commodity reading apparatus according to an
embodiment;
[0006] FIG. 2 is a hardware block diagram of a motherboard;
[0007] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of an external
shape of a connector;
[0008] FIG. 4 is a comparison diagram of a terminal configuration
of the connector and a terminal configuration of a general-purpose
type;
[0009] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of
a first switching control unit, a first switching unit, a second
switching control unit, and a second switching unit;
[0010] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example
related to detection of a connection direction of a plug of the
second switching control unit; and
[0011] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an
operation procedure of the commodity reading apparatus.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0012] According to one embodiment, there is provided an electronic
device capable of preventing electrical connection between devices
of connection destinations when connecting the devices having
different terminal configurations of connectors.
[0013] In general, according to one embodiment, an electronic
device includes a connector, a first determination unit, and a
first switching unit. The connector includes a plurality of
terminals for being electrically connected to a peripheral device.
The first determination unit determines whether or not a peripheral
device compatible with an own device is connected to the connector,
based upon an electrical state of a terminal that is not used in a
terminal configuration of the own device among the plurality of
terminals. The first switching unit is provided on a transmission
line connecting the terminal of the connector and an electric
circuit of the own device, electrically connects the transmission
line when the first determination unit determines that the
peripheral device compatible with the own device is connected, and
electrically disconnects the transmission line when the first
determination unit determines that a non-compatible peripheral
device is connected. According to another embodiment, a connection
method involves determining whether or not a peripheral device
compatible with an electronic device is connected to a connector
including a plurality of terminals for being electrically connected
to the peripheral device, based upon an electrical state of a
non-use terminal that is not used in a terminal configuration of
the electronic device among the plurality of terminals;
electrically connecting a transmission line connecting a terminal
of the plurality of terminals of the connector and an electric
circuit of the electronic device when determining that the
peripheral device compatible with the electronic device is
connected; and electrically disconnecting the transmission line
when determining that a non-compatible peripheral device is
connected.
[0014] Hereinafter, embodiments of an electronic device will be
described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In
the embodiment described below, a peripheral device is used as a
display device, and an application example of the electronic device
and the display device to a point of sales (POS) device is
shown.
[0015] FIG. 1 is an external perspective view illustrating an
example of a commodity reading apparatus. A commodity reading
apparatus 1 is an example of a POS device, and includes a POS
display device 1-1 and a main body unit 1-2 as illustrated in FIG.
1. The main body unit 1-2 corresponds to the "electronic device",
and the commodity reading apparatus 1 corresponds to a "display
apparatus". The POS display device 1-1 corresponds to a "peripheral
device" or a "corresponding device" as one of the peripheral device
and a "dedicated display device".
[0016] The POS display device 1-1 includes a display 10, a touch
panel 11, a speaker, and the like. The POS display device 1-1 is
electrically connected to the main body unit 1-2 by a
general-purpose plug cable (not illustrated). An electric wire (a
signal line) for transmitting various signals and an electric
signal such as driving power is housed in the general-purpose plug
cable. The POS display device 1-1 can be attached to and detached
from the main body unit 1-2, and can be replaced with another
display by removing and inserting the general-purpose plug
cable.
[0017] The display 10 is a display such as a liquid crystal
display, and displays various screen data on a display screen such
as a liquid crystal according to a display signal from a control
unit of the main body unit 1-2. For example, registration screen
data in which a commodity selection button for registering a
commodity by a touch input is disposed are displayed. For example,
the touch panel 11 is a touch panel such as an electrostatic
capacity system, and is provided on the display screen of the
display 10. For example, when an operator touches the commodity
selection button on the display screen, the touch panel 11 detects
the touch operation of the operator and outputs a signal indicating
coordinates on the display screen to the control unit of the main
body unit 1-2.
[0018] The main body unit 1-2 includes a reading scanner 13 such as
a laser scanner. The reading scanner 13 is a scanner for reading a
barcode attached to a commodity.
[0019] A housing (a second housing) 12-2 of the main body unit 1-2
houses a motherboard 2 (refer to FIG. 2) for controlling the whole
commodity reading apparatus 1. The motherboard 2 is mounted with
the control unit and a controller for each unit, for example, a
controller for the POS display device 1-1. In the embodiment, a USB
Type-C standard is adopted as an interface system for display
signal processing. Therefore, a USB Type-C compliant connector is
used for a connector 31 (refer to FIG. 2) as a receptacle on the
side of the motherboard 2 and a connector as a receptacle on the
side of the display device 1-1. A USB Type-C compliant
general-purpose plug cable is used to connect a signal line between
the connectors.
[0020] Next, a configuration of the motherboard 2 will be
described. FIG. 2 is a hardware block diagram of the motherboard 2.
The motherboard 2 illustrated in FIG. 2 includes a CPU 20, a
BIOS-ROM 21, a memory 22, a chipset 23, an external storage
apparatus 24, a scanner controller 25, a communication I/F 26, a
first switching control unit 27, a first switching unit 28, a
second switching control unit 29, a second switching unit 30, a
connector 31, and a power supply unit P.
[0021] The CPU 20 is a central processing unit and executes various
programs to generate data and output a control signal.
[0022] The BIOS-ROM 21 is a read only memory (ROM) that stores a
basic input and output system (BIOS).
[0023] The memory 22 is a random access memory (RAM) used as a work
region of the CPU 20.
[0024] The chipset 23 is an example of an electronic circuit. The
chipset 23 includes a north bridge and a south bridge, and performs
memory control and control of an I/O device. In the embodiment, a
USB controller 230 and a VGA controller 231 are mounted on the
chipset 23. The USB controller 230 controls the touch panel 11 of a
USB device (refer to FIG. 1), and processes an input signal from
the touch panel 11. The VGA controller 231 generates display data,
and outputs the display signal to the display 10 (refer to FIG.
1).
[0025] The external storage apparatus 24 is an HDD and a flash ROM,
and stores a control program, commodity information for inquiring a
commodity name, and screen data.
[0026] The scanner controller 25 is connected to the reading
scanner 13 (refer to FIG. 1). The scanner controller 25 drives the
reading scanner 13 to read barcode information.
[0027] The communication I/F 26 is a communication interface for
transmitting the commodity information read by the commodity
reading apparatus 1 to a POS register.
[0028] The first switching control unit 27 outputs a predetermined
control signal to the first switching unit 28 in response to
whether the display device connected to the connector 31 via the
general-purpose plug cable is a non-compatible device of its own
device or a compatible device thereof. For example, when the
display device of the non-compatible device, which is not the POS
display device 1-1 corresponding to the compatible device of its
own device, is connected to the connector 31, the first switching
control unit 27 outputs a control signal for controlling the first
switching unit 28 to be "disconnected". When the POS display device
1-1 corresponding to the compatible device of its own device is
connected to the connector 31, the first switching control unit 27
outputs a control signal for controlling the first switching unit
28 to be "connected". Hereinafter, a case where the display device
of the non-compatible device is used as a USB Type-C compliant
general-purpose display device is described as an example.
[0029] The first switching unit 28 electrically connects or
disconnects a signal line between the motherboard and the display
device of a connection destination by, for example, switching a
switch circuit, based upon an input of the control signal from the
first switching control unit 27.
[0030] The second switching control unit 29 outputs a control
signal for switching a terminal group of the connector 31 connected
to the chipset 23 to the second switching unit 30 in response to a
connection direction of a plug of the general-purpose plug cable
connected to the connector 31. As will be described later, since
the USB Type-C compliant connector 31 does not distinguish between
up and down, it is possible to connect the plug upside down. The
second switching control unit 29 detects a direction of the plug
connected to the connector 31, and outputs a control signal for
switching the terminal of the connector 31 connected to the chipset
23 to the second switching unit 30 in response to the detected
connection direction of the plug.
[0031] The second switching unit 30 selectively connects one of the
pair of connection terminal groups provided in the connector 31 to
the chipset 23 based upon the input of the control signal from the
second switching control unit 29. The second switching unit 30
switches the connection terminal group to be connected to the
chipset 23 by, for example, switching the switch circuit.
[0032] The connector 31 is a receptacle that complies with the USB
Type-C standard and includes 24 terminals. A signal line such as a
display signal, a touch panel control signal, and a power supply
for a display device is connected to each terminal.
[0033] The power supply unit P appropriately performs voltage
conversion on the electric power of a commercial power supply to
supply the electric power to each unit. For example, the power
supply unit P supplies the electric power for the display device to
the POS display device 1-1 via the general-purpose plug cable.
[0034] Next, a terminal configuration of the connector 31, that is,
a terminal configuration of a POS type will be described with
reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.
[0035] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of an external
shape of the connector 31 (including a shape of a terminal
connection unit). FIG. 3 is a schematic front view of the terminal
connection unit of the connector 31, and terminal numbers (Pin1 to
Pin24) are added to positions of the respective terminals. The
shape of the connector 31 illustrated in FIG. 3 complies with the
USB Type-C standard. Therefore, the general-purpose plug cable used
in the general-purpose display device can be used for the connector
31.
[0036] FIG. 4 is a comparison diagram of a terminal configuration
of the connector 31 and a terminal configuration of a
general-purpose type. In this example, as the terminal
configuration of the general-purpose type, a terminal configuration
of the general-purpose display device that complies with the USB
Type-C standard is shown. FIG. 4 shows a list of terminal numbers
of the terminals provided in the connector 31. A general-purpose
type list showing an example of the terminal configuration of the
general-purpose type and a POS type list showing an example of the
terminal configuration of the POS type are shown in association
with each terminal number of a terminal number list.
[0037] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the connector 31 of the USB Type-C
standard includes a terminal group of "Pin1" to "Pin12" disposed at
an upper stage and a terminal group of "Pin13" to "Pin24" disposed
at a lower stage. Even though the upper and lower parts of the plug
are switched and connected, these terminal groups are symmetrically
disposed to be able to be connected to the same general-purpose
type terminal.
[0038] Specifically, in the terminal configuration of the
general-purpose type, "Pin1" and "Pin12" are terminals for ground
(hereinafter abbreviated as GND). "Pin1" and "Pin12" correspond to
"Pin13" and "Pin24". "Pin2" and "Pin3" are terminals for a data
path (TX). "Pin2" and "Pin3" correspond to "Pin14" and "Pin15".
"Pin 4" and "Pin 9" are terminals for bus power. "Pin 4" and "Pin
9" correspond to "Pin 16" and "Pin 21". "Pin 5" is a terminal for
detecting a plug configuration. "Pin 5" corresponds to "Pin 17".
"Pin6" and "Pin7" are terminals for a data path (USB 2.0). "Pin 6"
and "Pin 7" correspond to "Pin 18" and "Pin 19". "Pin 8" is a
terminal for a sideband. "Pin 8" corresponds to "Pin 20". "Pin 10"
and "Pin 11" are terminals for a data path (RX). "Pin 10" and "Pin
11" correspond to "Pin 22" and "Pin 23".
[0039] That is, in the connector 31 of the USB Type-C standard, the
terminal group of "Pin1" to "Pin12" and the terminal group of
"Pin13" to "Pin24" form a pair of terminal groups that can be
connected even though the directions of the plug are switched. In
the following, a state in which the plug is connected to the
terminal group of "Pin1" to "Pin12" is also referred to as a
"forward direction", and a state in which the plug is connected to
the terminal group of "Pin13" to "Pin24" is also referred to as a
"reverse direction". The terminal group of "Pin1" to "Pin12" is
also referred to as a "forward direction side", and the terminal
group of "Pin13" to "Pin24" is also referred to as a "reverse
direction side".
[0040] On the other hand, in the terminal configuration of the POS
type, "Pin2" and "Pin3", or "Pin14" and "Pin15" are used for
transmitting the display signal. In the terminal configuration of
the POS type, "Pin6" and "Pin7", or "Pin18" and "Pin19" are used
for controlling the USB device (the touch panel 11 in this example
(refer to FIG. 1)). In the terminal configuration of the POS type,
"Pin 1" or "Pin 13" is used for GND, and "Pin 4" or "Pin 16" is
used for power supply to the display device 1-1.
[0041] In the terminal configuration of the POS type, "Pin8" and
"Pin12" on the forward direction side or "Pin20" and "Pin24" on the
reverse direction side are used for a connection direction
detection for detecting whether the plug is connected to the
forward direction side or the reverse direction side. A symbol "-"
shown in a POS type list 32 indicates that Pin is not used in the
POS type.
[0042] In this manner, in the terminal configuration of the POS
type of the embodiment, "Pin5", "Pin9" to "Pin11", "Pin17", "Pin21"
to "Pin23" are not used for electrical connection with the display
device 1-1. Therefore, the main body unit 1-2 detects which one of
the compatible device and the general-purpose display device that
complies with the USB Type-C standard (the non-compatible device)
is connected, based upon electrical states of the terminals of
"Pin5", "Pin9" to "Pin11", "Pin17", "Pin21" to "Pin23".
Hereinafter, the terminals of "Pin5", "Pin9" to "Pin11", "Pin17",
and "Pin21" to "Pin23" are also collectively referred to as
"monitor terminals".
[0043] Next, a configuration example of the first switching control
unit 27, the first switching unit 28, the second switching control
unit 29, and the second switching unit 30 will be described. FIG. 5
is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the first
switching control unit 27, the first switching unit 28, the second
switching control unit 29, and the second switching unit 30. Here,
the first switching control unit 27 is an example of a first
determination unit. The first switching unit 28 is an example of a
first switching unit. The second switching control unit 29 is an
example of a second determination unit. The second switching unit
30 is an example of a second switching unit. In FIG. 5, a plurality
of sets of electric wires relating to various types of transmission
are shown by one line.
[0044] As illustrated in FIG. 5, the first switching unit 28
includes a forward direction side switch 281 and a reverse
direction side switch 282. The forward direction side switch 281
includes single-throw type switches SW11 to SW14 and is connected
between the forward direction side terminal of the connector 31 and
the second switching unit 30. Specifically, one end side of the
switch SW11 is connected to "Pin1" of the connector 31, and the
other end side of the switch SW11 is connected to a line L11 that
connects the second switching unit 30 and the switch SW11. One end
side of the switch SW12 is connected to "Pin2" and "Pin3" of the
connector 31, and the other end side of the switch SW12 is
connected to a line L21 that connects the second switching unit 30
and the switch SW12. One end side of the switch SW13 is connected
to "Pin4" of the connector 31, and the other end side of the switch
SW13 is connected to a line L31 that connects the second switching
unit 30 and the switch SW13. One end side of the switch SW14 is
connected to "Pin6" and "Pin7" of the connector 31, and the other
end side of the switch SW13 is connected to a line L41 that
connects the second switching unit 30 and the switch SW14.
[0045] The reverse direction side switch 282 includes single-throw
type switches SW21 to SW24, and is connected between the reverse
direction side terminal of the connector 31 and the second
switching unit 30. Specifically, one terminal of the switch SW21 is
connected to "Pin13" of the connector 31, and the other terminal is
connected to a line L12 that connects the second switching unit 30
and the switch SW21. One terminal of the switch SW22 is connected
to "Pin14" and "Pin15" of the connector 31, and the other terminal
is connected to a line L22 that connects the second switching unit
30 and the switch SW22. One terminal of the switch SW23 is
connected to "Pin16" of the connector 31, and the other terminal is
connected to a line L32 that connects the second switching unit 30
and the switch SW23. One terminal of the switch SW24 is connected
to "Pin18" and "Pin19" of the connector 31, and the other terminal
is connected to the line L42 that connects the second switching
unit 30 and the switch SW24.
[0046] The forward direction side switch 281 and the reverse
direction side switch 282 switch on or off each switch in response
to a control signal Y1 outputted from the first switching control
unit 27, whereby the connector 31 and the second switching unit 30
(the chipset 23) are electrically connected or disconnected.
[0047] The first switching control unit 27 is connected to the
monitor terminal of the connector 31. The first switching control
unit 27 monitors a voltage value applied to the monitor terminal as
an input signal X1 as the electrical state of the monitor terminal.
The first switching control unit 27 is connected to the first
switching unit 28 (the forward direction side switch 281 and the
reverse direction side switch 282), and outputs the control signal
Y1 for turning on or off all the switches of the first switching
unit 28 in response to the input signal X1.
[0048] In the terminal configuration of the POS type used in the
embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 4, none of the monitor terminals
is used. Therefore, when the POS display device 1-1 is connected to
the connector 31, the voltage value at the monitor terminal becomes
zero or almost zero. On the other hand, when the general-purpose
display device is connected to the connector 31, a voltage value in
response to a function of each terminal is applied to the monitor
terminal as the input signal X1.
[0049] Next, the first switching control unit 27 determines whether
or not the display device connected to the connector 31 is the POS
display device 1-1 based upon the voltage value of the input signal
X1, and outputs the control signal Y1 in response to the
determination result to the first switching unit 28. Specifically,
when the voltage value of the input signal X1 is zero or almost
zero, the first switching control unit 27 determines that the POS
display device 1-1 is connected, and outputs the control signal Y1
for turning on all the switches of the first switching unit 28.
When the voltage value of the input signal X1 is equal to or
greater than a threshold value which is greater than zero, the
first switching control unit 27 determines that the general-purpose
display device is connected, and outputs the control signal Y1 for
turning off all the switches of the first switching unit 28.
[0050] Accordingly, when the general-purpose display device is
connected to the connector 31, the first switching control unit 27
can disconnect the chipset 23 and the connector 31 so that the
chipset 23 and the connector 31 are not electrically connected to
each other. When the POS display devicel-1 is connected to the
connector 31, the first switching control unit 27 can electrically
connect the chipset 23 and the connector 31.
[0051] The first switching control unit 27 may be configured to
monitor all of the monitor terminals, or may be configured to
monitor some of the terminals. For example, the first switching
control unit 27 may be configured to monitor Pin5 and Pin17 that
are used for detecting the plug configuration with the
general-purpose type among the monitor terminals.
[0052] The second switching unit 30 includes double-throw type
switches SW31 to SW34, and is connected between the first switching
unit 28 and the chipset 23. Specifically, two terminals on the
switching side of the switch SW31 are connected to the line L11 of
the switch SW11 and the line L12 of the switch SW21, and a
remaining one terminal is connected to a line L1 that connects the
chipset 23 and the switch SW31. Two terminals on the switching side
of the switch SW32 are connected to the line L21 of the switch SW12
and the line L22 of the switch SW22, and a remaining one terminal
is connected to a line L2 that connects the chipset 23 and the
switch SW32. Two terminals on the switching side of the switch SW33
are connected to the line L31 of the switch SW13 and the line L32
of the switch SW23, and a remaining one terminal is connected to a
line L3 that connects the chipset 23 and the switch SW33. Two
terminals on the switching side of the switch SW34 are connected to
the line L41 of the switch SW14 and the line L42 of the switch
SW24, and a remaining one terminal is connected to a line L4 that
connects the chipset 23 and the switch SW34.
[0053] The second switching unit 30 switches the connection
destination to either one of the two terminals on the switching
side in response to a control signal Y2 outputted from the second
switching control unit 29, whereby the chipset 23 is electrically
connected to the forward direction side or the reverse direction
side of the connector 31.
[0054] The second switching control unit 29 is connected to Pin8
and Pin12 of the connector 31. The second switching control unit 29
detects (determines) the connection direction of the plug connected
to the connector 31 based upon the electrical state of the Pin 12.
Specifically, the second switching control unit 29 outputs an
output signal X2 via Pin8, and receives an input of an input signal
X2' corresponding to the output signal X2 via Pin12. Next, the
second switching control unit 29 determines the connection
direction of the plug to the connector 31 based upon a reception
result of the input signal X2', and the control signal Y2 for
switching all the switches of the second switching unit 30 to the
forward direction side or the reverse direction side of the
connector 31 is outputted in response to the connection
direction.
[0055] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example
relating to the detection of the connection direction of the plug
of the second switching control unit 29. As described above, the
second switching control unit 29 outputs the output signal X2 via
"Pin8". The output signal X2 is inputted to a terminal T1 connected
by the terminal "Pin8" and a signal line K1.
[0056] The POS display device 1-1 loops back the output signal X2
inputted to the terminal T1 to a terminal T2 connected to the
terminal "Pin12" of the main body unit 1-2 by a signal line K2 by a
loopback unit 60. The loopback unit 60 can be realized by, for
example, connecting the terminal T1 and the terminal T2 of the POS
display device 1-1 by a short-circuiting unit 61 such as a lead
wire and pattern wiring.
[0057] According to the above-described configuration, when the
plug is connected to the connector 31 in the forward direction, the
output signal X2 is inputted to the terminal "Pin12" of the main
body unit 1-2 as the input signal X2' by the above-described
loopback unit 60. On the other hand, when the plug is connected to
the connector 31 in the reverse direction, the terminals T1 and T2
of the display device 1-1 are connected to the terminals "Pin20"
and "Pin24" of the main body unit 1-2, such that the output signal
X2 is not transmitted to the display device 1-1 and the input
signal X2' is not also looped back.
[0058] The second switching control unit 29 detects the connection
direction of the plug connected to the connector 31 based upon
whether or not the input signal X2' is looped back, and outputs the
control signal Y2 in response to the detection result to the second
switching unit 30. Specifically, when the input signal X2' is
looped back, the second switching control unit 29 determines that
the plug is connected to the forward direction side, and outputs
the control signal Y2 for switching all the switches of the second
switching unit 30 to the forward direction side of the connector
31. When the input signal X2' is not looped back, the second
switching control unit 29 determines that the plug is connected to
the reverse direction side, and outputs the control signal Y2 for
switching all the switches of the second switching unit 30 to the
reverse direction side of the connector 31.
[0059] In this manner, when the POS display device 1-1 is connected
to the connector 31, the second switching control unit 29 switches
the connection destination of the second switching unit 30 to the
forward direction side or the reverse direction side in response to
the connection direction of the plug. Accordingly, since the POS
display device 1-1 and the chipset 23 are electrically connected to
each other, it becomes possible to transmit an electric signal
between the main body unit 1-2 and the POS display device 1-1.
[0060] In the embodiment, the second switching control unit 29
detects (determines) the connection direction of the plug by using
"Pin 8" and "Pin 12" on the forward direction side, and maybe
configured to determine the connecting direction of the plug by
using "Pin 20" and the "Pin 24" on the reverse direction side. The
second switching control unit 29 outputs the output signal X2 to
"Pin 8" on the forward direction side and "Pin 20" on the reverse
direction side, and may determine the connection direction of the
plug in response to whether the terminal receiving the input signal
X2' is "Pin 12" on the forward direction side or "Pin 24" on the
reverse direction side.
[0061] Hereinafter, an operation procedure of the commodity reading
apparatus 1 when the main body unit 1-2 and the display device are
connected by the general-purpose plug cable will be described. FIG.
7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation procedure
of the commodity reading apparatus 1.
[0062] First, the first switching control unit 27 waits until the
display device is connected via the connector 31 (ACT 11: No).
Here, the first switching control unit 27 outputs the control
signal Y1 for turning off all the switches of the first switching
unit 28 during the standby in ACT 11.
[0063] Next, when the display device is connected to the connector
31 of the main body unit 1-2 (ACT 11: Yes), the first switching
control unit 27 determines whether the display device of the
connection destination is a POS type display device or a
general-purpose display device (a non-compatible display device)
based upon a voltage value (the input signal X1) of the monitor
terminal (ACT 12).
[0064] Here, when the display device of the connection destination
is the general-purpose display device (ACT 13; No), the first
switching control unit 27 outputs the control signal Y1 for turning
off all the switches of the first switching unit 28. Accordingly,
the first switching unit 28 electrically disconnects the
general-purpose display device by turning off all the switches (ACT
14), and terminates this processing.
[0065] On the other hand, when the display device of the connection
destination is the POS type display device (ACT 13; Yes), the first
switching control unit 27 outputs the control signal Y1 for turning
on all the switches of the first switching unit 28. Accordingly,
the first switching unit 28 electrically connects the POS type
display device by turning on all the switches (ACT 15).
[0066] Next, the second switching control unit 29 determines the
connection direction of the plug connected to the connector 31
based upon the loopback (the input signal X2') of the output signal
X2 outputted to the display device via "Pin8" (ACT 16).
[0067] Here, when the connection direction of the plug is the
forward direction (ACT 17; Yes), the second switching control unit
29 connects all the switches of the second switching unit 30 to the
forward direction side switch 281 of the first switching unit 28
(ACT 18), and terminates this processing. When the connection
direction of the plug is the reverse direction (ACT 17; Yes), the
second switching control unit 29 connects all the switches of the
second switching unit 30 to the reverse direction side switch 282
of the first switching unit 28 (ACT 19), and terminates this
processing.
[0068] As described above, in the main body unit 1-2, the type of
the display device connected to the connector 31 is determined
based upon the electrical state of the monitor terminal of the
connector 31. When the POS type display device is connected to the
connector 31, the main body unit 1-2 electrically connects a
transmission line between the chipset 23 and the connector 31, and
when the general-purpose display device is connected to the
connector 31, the main body unit 1-2 electrically cut off the
transmission line between the chipset 23 and the connector 31.
Therefore, the main body unit 1-2 can prevent electrical connection
with the device of the connection destination when connecting a
device having a different terminal configuration of a
connector.
[0069] When the POS type display device is connected to the
connector 31 via the general-purpose plug cable, the main body unit
1-2 determines the connection direction of the plug connected to
the connector 31 based upon the electrical state of a predetermined
terminal (Pins 8 and 12 or Pins 20 and 24) provided in any one of
the terminal groups among the pair of terminal groups provided in
the connector 31. Next, the main body unit 1-2 switches the
connection destination of the chipset 23 to the forward direction
side or the reverse direction side of the connector 31 in response
to the determined connection direction of the plug. Accordingly,
when the POS type display device is connected to the connector 31,
the main body unit 1-2 can electrically connect the chipset 23 and
the POS type display device regardless of the direction of the
plug. Therefore, it is possible to effectively utilize
characteristics of the general-purpose plug cable that complies
with the USB Type-C standard.
[0070] In the embodiment, as the terminal configuration of the POS
type, a form using the terminal configuration illustrated in FIG. 4
is described, but the terminal configuration is not limited
thereto. For example, when a sound output is performed by using a
speaker provided in the display device, a terminal for the sound
output may be secured.
[0071] In the embodiment, the first switching unit 28 switches the
connection and disconnection of the transmission lines relating to
Pins 1 to 4, Pins 6, and 7 (Pins 13 to 16 and Pins 18 and 19), but
the transmission line to be connected and disconnected is not
limited thereto. For example, when there is no electrical impact on
mutual devices, the transmission line may be excluded from a target
of the switching control. For example, Pin8 and Pin12 (Pin20 and
Pin24) used for detecting the connection direction of the plug may
be included in the target of the switching control.
[0072] In the embodiment, the connection direction is determined by
using the two terminals of Pins 8 and 12 (or Pins 20 and 24), but
the embodiment is not limited thereto. The connection direction may
be determined by using any one of the terminals. In this case, when
the POS type display device 1-1 receives the output signal X2 via a
terminal set for the determination of the connection direction, the
POS type display device 1-1 loops back and outputs the output
signal X2 (the input signal X2') by using the terminal.
[0073] In the embodiment, a form in which the second switching unit
30 is provided between the chipset 23 and the first switching unit
28 is described, but the second switching unit 30 may be provided
between the first switching unit 28 and the second switching unit
30. In this case, the second switching unit 30 connects the forward
direction side of the connector 31 and the forward direction side
switch 281 or the reverse direction side of the connector 31 and
the reverse direction side switch 282 in response to the control
signal Y2 of the second switching control unit 29.
[0074] In the embodiment, a form using the USB Type-C standard is
described, but other standards may be used. For example, in the
case of a Lightning (registered trademark) standard, in the same
manner as that of the USB Type-C standard, since there is no
distinction between the upper and lower parts of the connector
portion and the upper and lower parts thereof can be connected
upside down, the same configuration as that of the above-described
embodiment can be applied.
[0075] In the embodiment, when the general-purpose display device
is connected to the connector 31, the general-purpose display
device is not displayed, such that a user can recognize the
connected display device is the general-purpose display device, and
a notification unit for explicitly notifying that the connected
display device is the general-purpose display device may be further
provided. For example, the main body unit 1-2 may include a sound
output apparatus that emits a beep sound or a buzzer sound as the
notification unit. In this case, the notification unit is
configured to emit the beep sound or the buzzer sound in
association with the switch-off control signal Y1 outputted from
the first switching control unit 27 and the switch-off operation by
the first switching unit 28, whereby the user can be notified that
the general-purpose display device is connected thereto.
[0076] In the embodiment, an application example to the main body
unit and the display device of the commodity reading apparatus is
shown as the electronic device and the display device, but the
embodiment is not limited thereto. This may be applied to other POS
devices. For example, the electronic device and the display device
may be applied to a main body unit and a display device of a POS
register. Further, the electronic device and the display device may
be applied to a main body unit and a display device of a self-POS.
When the display device is required to connect two display devices,
one device for a store clerk and the other device for a customer,
the electronic device and the display device may be respectively
applied to the main body unit and the display device for the store
clerk, and the main body unit and the display device for the
customer.
[0077] In the embodiment, the configuration of the main body unit
and the display device is described by taking the USB Type-C
standard as a connection interface as an example. However, a device
other than the display device may be connected to the main body
unit as a peripheral device, and the device may be expanded to one
that identifies the non-compatible device at the time of
connection.
[0078] While certain embodiments have been described, these
embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not
intended to limit the scope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel
embodiments described herein may be embodied in a variety of other
forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in
the form of the embodiments described herein maybe made without
departing from the spirit of the inventions. The accompanying
claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or
modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the
inventions.
* * * * *